Part 3 of ? in the Cultivating a Storytelling Mindset series The hardest thing I ever ask of a player is to decide what they're going to care about. Some games tell you what to care about, right? You’re dungeon delvers, so you’re supposed to care about the treasure. Advancement is a strongly implied goal… Continue reading Deciding What To Care About
We're a couple actual-play sessions into Shattered City, UFO Press’ latest Legacy-derived game, and it's delivering an interesting experience. Rather than blow-by-blow whaddaydo whaddayado play, each session is a vignette. There's a clear opening with an explicit situation, a nice little arc with miss-generated complications, and closure at the end of the session. They feel… Continue reading Vignettes
Something I’ve learned during the pandemic is that I use roleplaying as a distraction. Sure, yes, I’ve got a weird obsession with the metasocial meaning of rules structures. And I agree that gaming can be a safe way to explore emotional and interpersonal stuff. But at least during These Unprecedented Times, I need gaming to… Continue reading Extra Extra: Shattered City Is A Needed Distraction
If there’s one moment in play in any tabletop game that I dread, it’s the moment a player asks “What do I know about…?” Doesn’t really matter what the topic is: ugh! I was reminded how much this sets my hackles off after a brief flirtation with The Nightmares Underneath recently. No surprise, given that… Continue reading Whadday Know?
Closing in on the finish now, and not a moment too soon. The games in these last couple years are going to be familiar with most everyone, I think. Another tied year! 2018 was, I think, the year I finally conceded that I just can’t keep up with everything coming out. If you're just starting… Continue reading A Decade of Indie Roleplaying: 2018
